03 May 2010

I started this blog three years ago as a motivational tool as I trained for my first marathon. The first event I ever ran in was this little race called the Lilac Bloomsday Run. Little did I know that the race wasn't so little. 50,000 people toe the starting line year after year for this 12k run, making it one of the biggest road races in the country. After running Bloomsday three years ago and experiencing the energy and excitement, I was hooked on running.

Yesterday was my second time running Bloomsday, and I think it was more fun. I'm in better shape than I was then. I get more excited about running now than I did three years ago (I hope that never fades). And I even had the chance to say hi to Olympian Dan Browne outside the Expo.

I had a dream earlier in the week that I won Bloomsday. I thought it was a sign of a legendary athletic performance in the making: "Unknown stuns field of world's top runners to win Bloomsday!" But it wasn't meant to be. I didn't win, and I wasn't even the top American finisher - that went to Dan Browne for the second year in a row.

The biggest news of the day was Lineth Chepkurui. She won the women's race in with a 12k road world record of 38m10s! -- on a tough course. Also, '84 Olympic marathon gold-medalist Joan Benoit-Samuelson was in attendance and shooting for the age-group record (she just missed). Here's a short clip of the elite women zooming past me near the start:

Chepkurui is leading (in purple) on her way to the world record.
Benoit-Samuelson is in rear of lead pack in purple tank and white hat.

I had a good race too. A slow first couple of miles, but with such a big crowd there's no use getting frustrated by that. And isn't running more than just seconds on a clock anyway? After a couple of miles the course widens a bit and there's (a little) more room to pick up the pace. Enjoy the pace while you can, because the infamous Doomsday Hill slows everyone down a couple miles later.

I am so happy you are happy. You are an inspiration to so many, including your slow, but unsteady father. I love reading about your running adventures. I love even more running together when we get the chance.

Your time and place in such a large and classic race is more than impressive. Maybe someday that dream of yours will come true. Just keep running!

What a year you are having. My 40th year, I had a goal to pr in all of the race distances - 2 mile through the marathon. I did it, and it was such a GREAT year. What's left after Boston...I was worried about that too, but I am thankful that I still have some drive left in me, and look forward to getting back to the roads with my running shoes on instead of my walking shoes.

That is so amazing to have a great race when the crowd is so big. Keep Running and you will go to Boston too.